Your Step-by-Step Guide to Lip Contouring

By
Elise
Minton Tabin
, Executive Beauty Editor
| January 15, 2016

Bigger is often better, and that’s especially true when it comes to the lips. But, not everyone wants overdone, fake-looking lips. And, not every woman is willing to undergo a treatment or procedure to get full lips. Here, makeup artist Bella Parker shows us how you can contour your lips to fake the look of a fuller pout.

1.
Over-line your lips slightly, following your
natural lip line using a darker lip liner. Parker says you can use any
color—dark purple, red, nude, etc.—as long as the lip liner you choose is
darker than the lipstick you will apply. “Just don’t go overboard and line your
lips too far over the line.”

2/4

2.
Following the natural contours of your lips,
line the creases to create what Parker calls "pockets," which will give the
illusion of fuller lips.

3/4

3.
Next, apply lipstick in a color that’s lighter
than the lip liner and blend in the contour. “Most lipstick formulas work, be it
something matte or sheer.”

4/4

4.
Add a layer of gloss to make your lips look plump
and even fuller. “The overall finish is shaded on the outside with an ombré
effect fading into the lighter color.”